MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The sounds of kicks hitting heavy bags echo through the gym as florescent lights beam down on martial arts students. The sweat from a dozen faces drip on the matting which protects the students from their falls. While some students learn these kicks to protect themselves from attackers, one Marine learns these techniques to take the fight to the enemy.

 For the past four years, Cpl. Brian A. Scoggins, an ordnance technician, with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, has trained in various types of martial arts and has since earned his black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

 Scoggins spends his lunch break working out at the gym, performing a combination of cardiovascular and weight lifting exercises. Afterward, he grabs a sandwich and a vitamin shake for his lunch.

 After finishing his work aboard the air station he rushes to Unleashed gym where he warms up with a 10-minute run on the treadmill. From there he attends a Muay Thai class.

 Over the course of three hours he challenges his body with almost non-stop drills comprised of knee strikes, kicks and elbow strikes.

 Muay Thai, a form of martial arts which originated in Thailand, focuses on using controlled kicks and knee strikes to take down an opponent. He also complements his Muay Thai training with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which focuses on ground fighting and grappling.

 Standing next to a heavyweight fighter like Randy Couture, Scoggins 5 feet 10 inches tall frame earns him the title of “not the biggest fighter”, according to Walter Atkinson, a student of the Muay Thai class. However he can grapple and defeat guys who are much larger than him.

 The lean martial artist’s interest in martial arts grew during his first year in the Marine Corps.

 “When I attended my job school, we practiced MCMAP, which was a real good start for me,” said Scoggins. “While I was deployed I obtained my green belt.”

 Scoggins isn’t the only Marine with an interest in mixed martial arts.

 “When I arrived at HMM-161 in 2005, Staff Sgt. Steward, my ordnance chief, discovered I was getting into martial arts and introduced me to the Fabio Santos Academy, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school,” said “Nine Lives” Scoggins, a nickname given to him by his opponents.

 The St. Paul, Minn., native gets his nickname from an incident while he was deployed to Al Taqaddum, Iraq.

 While walking to a humvee, a 170 mm rocket landed 10 feet away from Scoggins.

 “The rocket didn’t explode, but if it had I wouldn’t be here today,” said Scoggins

 After his workout at Unleashed, Scoggins heads home to recover and eat a strict diet of lean meats and vegetables.

 “After the day is over, I feel exhausted, especially since a quarter of my day is spent working out,” said Scoggins. “I try to get a deep tissue massage at the gym on base and stretch often to keep myself from getting injured.”

 Some injuries he has received as a result of his training include a broken toe, a hairline fracture to his wrist and a broken hand.

 Scoggins plans to spend the next six months in the Fleet Assistance Program at the bachelor enlisted quarters, allowing him to train more for a chance to fight in a tournament.

 Scoggins enjoys the mental and physical challenges of martial arts and tries to constantly improve himself.

 “If you want to get stronger, and get better at MCMAP try some different martial arts,” said Scoggins.

 His goals include, attending the black belt instructor course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, serving a tour of Marine Security Guard duty and deploying in the upcoming year.